Senator Katung empowers ginger farmers in southern Kaduna

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By Ahmad Usman Ali, Kafanchan

The Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung has empowered over 150 ginger farmers in his constituency with specialized training on modern techniques for processing ginger, aimed at boosting productivity and quality.

The empowerment program, organized in collaboration with the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), took place in Zonkwa, Zangon Kataf Local Government Headquarters.

Southern Kaduna is Nigeria’s largest ginger-producing region, making this initiative a significant boost to the local economy.

Speaking at the event, Sen. Katung highlighted the need for farmers to adopt modern processing techniques to improve their yield and quality. “We are conducting this training to encourage people to embrace change, as adapting to new methods can bring substantial improvements,” he stated.

“It is my hope that initiatives like this will unlock the potential of this God-given goldmine in our land, enabling us to generate more income and prosperity,” he added.

Represented by Christopher Haruna, a former Council Chairman of Zangon Kataf, Sen. Katung explained that with the high global demand for ginger, it is vital for farmers to utilize modern technology. As part of the empowerment package, 15 ginger slicing machines were distributed, with each machine assigned to a group of 10 farmers. Additionally, each farmer received N50,000 to support their ventures.

The senator reaffirmed his commitment to launching programs that directly impact the lives of his constituents, emphasizing his dedication to agricultural and economic development in Southern Kaduna.

In his remarks, Dr. Abdulgafar Kamal, Executive Director of NCAM, urged the farmers to make the most of the training to benefit themselves and their communities. Represented by Engr. Joseph Adebija, Kamal assured participants of NCAM’s ongoing technical support to ginger farmers in the region.

Prof. Ibrahim Sodangi, a Crop Production expert from Kaduna State University, provided insights on ginger farming as a business, the global competitiveness of Nigerian ginger, and the unique qualities of local ginger species. He pointed out the challenges the sector faces, including soil fertility issues, limited access to improved ginger varieties, and low technology adoption.

Participants Christopher Abraham and Khadija Adamu expressed their gratitude to Sen. Katung, noting that the training had equipped them with valuable skills in ginger farming. Other participants pledged to share their new knowledge with fellow farmers in their communities, aiming to strengthen ginger production across Southern Kaduna.